JP3464176B2 - Transmission device and transmission method, reception device and reception method, and transmission / reception system and transmission / reception method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus, a transmitting method, a receiving apparatus, and a transmitting apparatus which have a hierarchical structure and are suitable for simultaneous distribution of data distributed and arranged on a network. The present invention relates to a reception method, a transmission / reception system, and a transmission / reception method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various methods have been proposed as data distribution methods. For example, on the current Internet, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol) such as http (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) is used.
/ Internet Protocol) is used as the basic protocol. In TCP / IP, a receiving side receiving data distribution makes a call to a data transmitting side of data, and a connection is established between the transmitting side and the receiving side every time data is transmitted / received. It is supposed to be done. Therefore, highly reliable data distribution can be performed. On the other hand, the load on the transmission side and the network becomes large, and it may be difficult to perform efficient data distribution.

That is, when the number of terminals receiving data is increased and the access to the server providing the data is concentrated, a large load is placed on the server and the network, and even if the data is requested, the data is obtained before the data is obtained. It could take a lot of time.

Therefore, data distribution can be performed, for example, by a satellite line or a CATV (Cab
(le Television) line, terrestrial digital broadcasting which is planned to be put into practical use, and the like.
In this case, the load on the server and the network is not affected by the increase in the number of terminals.

On the other hand, in recent years, with the development of digital communication networks such as the Internet, enormous amounts of data have been accumulated on the networks, and there is a demand for efficient use of this enormous amount of data. Therefore, a directory service, which hierarchically manages data distributed and existing on the network and provides it to users, has been attracting attention. By using the directory service, users can quickly find the information they need from the information that is distributed over the network,
It becomes possible to access.

[0006] The directory service is, for example, X.264 based on the international standard OSI (Open Systems Interconnection). It is defined as the 500 series.
X. According to 500, a directory is a collection of open systems, and each open system cooperates,
It is defined as having a logical database of information about a collection of real-world objects.

X. According to the main directory service of 500, it is possible to search and browse the information held in the directory. Further, a directory service also provides a list like a telephone directory and user authentication. In addition, directory services name objects in a way that is especially easy for human users to remember, guess, and recognize.

Incidentally, this X. The directory service by 500 is extremely comprehensive, has a very large program size, and is very difficult to realize on the Internet using TCP / IP as a protocol. for that reason,
A lightweight directory service for TCP / IP, such as LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), has been proposed.

In the directory service, data is managed based on a directory structure having a tree structure.
The directory structure is composed of container entries corresponding to nodes between data and leaf entries that are the end of the tree and have substantial data. A container entry can have other container entries and leaf entries under its control. Leaf entries cannot have other entries under them. The entry representing the entire tree is called the root entry.

As an example, the container entries are classified by genre, and the leaf entry includes more specific data of the genre represented by the container entry immediately above.

In recent years, it has been proposed to provide the above-mentioned directory service by the data transmission means for performing the above-mentioned simultaneous broadcast, that is, satellite lines, CATV lines, terrestrial digital broadcasting and the like. In this case, the information provided by the directory service is unidirectionally provided, and the user cannot request the information. Therefore, as the directory information by the directory service, the same information is repeatedly transmitted. On the user side, the transmitted information is used, for example, by connecting it to a television receiver or the like, which is an IRD (Integrated) receiver for digital broadcasting.
Reciever Decoder) and STB (Set Top Box).

Here, the synchronization of information between the directory server side and the user side, that is, synchronization management will be considered.
The directory server side detects substantive directory updates and responds to dynamic changes in the directory hierarchical structure. The directory information reflecting the change in the hierarchical structure of the directory is transmitted to the user. At this time, if all the directory information is transmitted, the amount of data becomes enormous, so only the difference of change is extracted and transmitted.

On the directory server side, every time the update of the directory information is detected, or at regular intervals,
The update information including the difference of change is transmitted to the user. The user always receives the update information based on the update of the directory and updates the accumulated directory information with the received differential update data, so that the directory information can be synchronized between the directory server and the user. .

[0014]

At this time, on the user side, for example, the power of the receiver is not turned on, and the user is put into a dormant state, and the update information from the directory server cannot be received for a certain period of time. To do. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the update information Msg1, Msg2, and Msg are sent from the directory server.
3 is transmitted in order. The update information Msg2 is a difference from the directory information updated by the update information Msg1, and the update information Msg3 is the update information Msg2.
It is the difference with respect to the directory information updated by.

On the other hand, when the receiving side is in the dormant state as shown near the center of FIG. 12, the receiving side has not acquired the update information Msg2. In such a case, on the receiving side, the update information Msg1 is updated using the update information Msg3, so that the information may not be updated correctly and inconsistency may occur between the directory server and the receiver. There is a nature.

That is, the update information Msg2 depends on the update information Msg2, and the update information Msg3 is the update information Ms.
Depends on g2. The above-mentioned inconsistency occurs because the dependency relationship between these Msg1 to Msg3 is not reflected correctly.

In order to prevent the occurrence of such inconsistency, the update information to be transmitted is provided with a list of update information that must be processed before the processing by the update information, that is, a list of update history. It has been proposed that the update information be added to and transmitted. On the receiving side, by following the dependency relationship of the update information based on this update history, it is possible to perform the update processing so that there is no inconsistency with the directory structure managed on the receiving side.

However, in the method of adding the update history to the update information, there is a problem that the directory server side must manage the dependency relationship of the update information and the update history and add the update history information to the update information. there were.

This causes a problem that the load on the server increases and the amount of data to be transmitted also increases as the directory structure managed on the server side becomes huge.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a transmitting apparatus and a transmitting method, a receiving apparatus and a receiving method, and a transmitting / receiving system and a transmitting / receiving method, in which the dependency relationship of update information on the directory server side is easily managed. To provide.

[0021]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is configured by a plurality of entries in a transmitting device for transmitting directory data that manages the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, A directory storage means for storing directory data having a tree-structured data structure, a directory operation means for updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means, and an update content of the directory data updated by the directory operation means. update information generating means for generating update information, and transmitting means for updating information generated by the update information generation unit is transmitted to broadcast network, further
Bidirectional communication with a receiving device that receives new information
Each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means having a communication means has a value indicating a step of update that changes each time an update occurs in an entry under its own, and the update information The generation unit includes a value indicating the stage of the update in the generated update information, and the reception device cannot acquire it via the two-way communication unit.
The transmitting device is characterized in that the updating information is provided .

Further, according to the present invention, in a transmitting method for transmitting directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, directory data having a tree-structured data structure, which is composed of a plurality of entries, is stored in the directory. Means for storing the directory data stored in the directory storage means, a directory operation step for updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means, and an update information generation step for generating update information indicating the update content of the directory data updated by the directory operation step. And a step of transmitting the update information generated in the step of generating update information to the broadcast network, each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means being under its own control. En
Has a value that indicates the stage of the update that changes every time the update against birds occurs, update information generation step is to be included in the update information generated a value that indicates the stage of the update, the receiving
Two-way communication of update information that the device could not acquire
The transmission method is characterized by being provided .

Further, according to the present invention, in a receiving device for receiving transmitted directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, a directory having a tree-structured data structure is constituted by a plurality of entries. Directory storage means for storing data, receiving means for receiving update information for updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means, and stored in the directory storage means based on the content of the update information received by the receiving means Bidirectional communication between the update operation means for updating the directory data to be updated and the sending side for sending the update information.
And a bidirectional communication means for performing communication , wherein each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means indicates an update stage that changes each time an entry under its own is updated. And the update operation means compares the second value and the first value indicating the update stage included in the update information received by the receiving means,
When the first value and the second value match, the directory data stored in the directory storage means is updated based on the update information received by the receiving means , and the first value and
When the second value does not match, the first value and the second value
Update information having a second value such that
Waits for a certain period to be received by the first value and the second
Update information having a second value that matches the value of
When it is not received by the receiving means even after a certain period of time
In the update information having a second value that matches the first value.
The receiving device is characterized in that the information is acquired via the two-way communication means .

Further, the present invention is a receiving method for receiving transmitted directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure. The directory data is composed of a plurality of entries and has a tree-structured data structure. Storing the data in the directory storage means, receiving the update information for updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means, and storing the directory based on the content of the update information received by the receiving step. An update operation step for updating the directory data stored in the means, each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means changing each time an update occurs to an entry under its control. , Has a first value indicating the stage of update, The operation step compares the second value and the first value indicating the update stage included in the update information received by the receiving step, and when the first value and the second value match each other. , Updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means on the basis of the update information received in the receiving step so that the first value and the second value become equal to each other.
Make sure that the first and second values match when you do not
The update information having the second value is received by the receiving step.
Wait for a certain period of time to be trusted, and the first value and the second value
Update information that has a second value that matches will remain for a certain period of time.
If it is not received by the receiving step even after
In the update information having a second value that matches the first value.
The information receiving method is characterized in that the information is acquired by two-way communication .

Further, the present invention is a transmission / reception system for transmitting directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure and receiving the transmitted directory data. First directory storage means for storing first directory data having a structure, directory operation means for updating the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means, and directory operation means for updating Update information generating means for generating update information representing the content of the update of the first directory data,
Transmission means for transmitting the update information generated by the update information generating means to the broadcast network, and receiving the update information
First bidirectional communication means for bidirectionally communicating with a receiving device
And a second directory data that is composed of a plurality of entries and has a tree-structured data structure.
Directory storing means, and receiving means for receiving the update information transmitted to the broadcast network by the transmitting means,
Update operation means for updating the second directory data stored in the second directory storage means based on the content of the update information received by the receiving means, and the update information is transmitted.
Second bidirectional communication means for bidirectionally communicating with the transmitting side
And each of the plurality of entries of the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means indicates an update stage that changes each time an update occurs in an entry under its control . The update information generating means has a value, and the update information generating means is configured to include the first value indicating the stage of update in the generated update information, and the plurality of the second directory data stored in the second directory storage means are included. Each of the entries has a second value indicating the update stage that changes each time an update occurs for the entries under its control, and the update operation means has the first value included in the update information received by the reception means. And the second value are compared, and the first value and the second value are compared.
, The second directory data stored in the second directory storage means is updated based on the update information received by the receiving means .
When the value of 2 does not match, the first value and the second value are
The update information having the second value that matches is transmitted to the receiving means.
Wait for a certain period of time to receive
Update information having a second value that matches the value is
If the receiving means does not receive the message after a fixed period
In the update information having a second value that matches the first value.
In the transmission / reception system, the information is acquired via the first and second bidirectional communication means .

Further, the present invention is a transmission / reception method of transmitting directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure and receiving the transmitted directory data. The first directory data having a structure is the first
Of the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means, updating the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means, and updating the first directory data updated by the directory operation step. An update information generation step of generating update information representing the content, a transmission step of transmitting the update information generated in the update information generation step to the broadcast network, and a plurality of entries,
Storing the second directory data having a tree-structured data structure in the second directory storage means;
The receiving step of receiving the update information transmitted to the broadcast network by the transmitting step, and the second directory data stored in the second directory storage means based on the content of the update information received by the receiving step. And a step of an update operation for updating, each of the plurality of entries of the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means is an entity under its own control.
The update information generation step has a first value indicating an update step that changes each time an update occurs to the client, and the update information generation step includes the first value indicating the update step in the generated update information. Each of the plurality of entries of the second directory data stored in the second directory storage means has a second value indicating an update step that changes each time an update is made to an entry under its control. The updating operation step includes comparing the first value and the second value included in the update information received by the receiving step, and when the first value and the second value match, The second directory data stored in the second directory storage means is updated based on the update information received by the receiving step, and the second value is set to the first value.
When the second value does not match, the first value and the second value
Update information having a second value such that
Wait for a certain period to be received by the step
And update information having a second value such that
Information is received by the receiving step even after a certain period of time
If not, then a second value that matches the first value
Update information with a transmission and reception method characterized by obtaining by a bidirectional communications.

As described above, claim 1 and claim 2
The invention described in, is stored in a directory storage means,
Update information, which is composed of a plurality of entries and represents the contents of the update of the directory data having a tree-structured data structure, is transmitted to the broadcast network, and the transmitted update information includes: Since each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means has a value indicating the update stage that changes each time an update occurs directly under itself, the receiving side From the received update information, it is possible to know the stage of updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means.

Further, according to the invention described in claims 3 and 6, the directory information having a tree-structured data structure, which is stored in the directory storage means and has a plurality of entries, is added to the received update information. Each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means that is capable of being updated based on the first value has a first value indicating a stage of the update, which is changed each time an update occurs immediately below itself. , The first value and the second value indicating the update stage of the update information are compared, and the first value and the second value are compared.
Since the directory data stored in the directory storage means is updated based on the received update information when the value of is matched, the step of update by the received update information and the directory storage means When the update stage of the stored directory data matches
The directory data is updated by the received update information.

Further, in the invention described in claims 7 and 10, the first directory data having a tree-structured data structure, which is stored in the first directory storage means and is composed of a plurality of entries, is stored. Update information indicating the contents of the update of the first directory data when updated is provided for each of the plurality of entries of the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means, immediately below itself. The first value having a tree-structured data structure stored in the second directory storage means, which is transmitted to the broadcast network and includes a first value indicating an update step that changes each time an update occurs. Update information for updating the second directory data is received from the broadcast network, and the first value included in the update information and the second directory storage Received when a plurality of entries of the second directory data stored in the column have a second value indicating an update stage that changes each time immediately below itself and that indicates an update stage. Since the second directory data stored in the second directory storage means is updated based on the received update information, the stage of update by the received update information and the directory data stored in the directory storage means The directory data is updated by the received update information when the update step of the above item is matched.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of an example of a data distribution system applicable to the present invention. The transmitting directory server 10 holds and manages directory data. The directory data managed by the transmission-side directory server 10 is a tree-structure representation of real-world contents, and is distributed on a higher-level network connected to the transmission-side directory server 10, for example. The location information of the content to be played and the name are associated with each other and are represented by a tree structure.

The transmitting side directory server 10 can update the directory data by adding, modifying (updating), deleting, etc., the managed directory data. For example, a change in the structure of the content in the real world is reflected in the directory data managed by the transmitting side directory server 10, and the directory data is changed.

The transmitting directory server 10 supplies the directory data managed by the server 10 to the receiving directory servers 12, 12, ...
Provide directory data to users. The directory data supplied from the transmitting directory server 10 to the receiving directory server 12 is stored in the receiving directory server 12.

The sending side directory server 10 and the receiving side directory servers 12, 12, ... Are connected to each other by a bidirectional network 13. All or part of the directory data managed by the transmitting side directory server 10 is supplied to the receiving side directory servers 12, 12, ... Through the broadcast network 11 and the bidirectional network 13 at a predetermined timing. . As a result, the change in the directory data that has occurred in the transmitting directory server 10 is reflected in the receiving directory server 1.
.. are reflected on the transmitting side directory server 10 and the receiving side directory servers 12, 12 ,.
The contents of the directory data are synchronized with and.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows the structure of directory data. As described above, the directory data is data having a tree structure. Of the nodes that make up the tree structure, those that can further have nodes under them are called container entries. On the other hand, a leaf entry is a leaf entry that cannot be placed under another node and is located at the bottom. In FIG. 2, C1, C2, C3 and C4 are container entries, and L1, L2 and L are container entries.
3 is a leaf entry. Each container entry and leaf entry is managed by giving a name that can easily identify each other.

Although not shown, the container entry has an attribute of the container entry itself and a list of container entries and leaf entries under its control. The list of subordinate entries may contain no elements. The container entry itself can have multiple attributes.
A leaf entry has a plurality of leaf entry attributes, and each attribute consists of an attribute name and an attribute value. For example, when the leaf entry is the search information of the content, one of the attribute names has an address and the attribute value is a URL.
Address information of contents such as (Uniform Resource Locator) is described.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the transmitting side directory server 10. This sender directory server 10
Is composed of, for example, one computer or a plurality of computers connected to each other via a network. The directory data having the structure shown in FIG. 2 described above is stored in the directory storage unit 21.

With respect to the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21, the directory operation unit 20 can change the directory structure such as addition, update and deletion of container entries and leaf entries. The directory operation unit 20 includes, for example, a user interface 22 including predetermined display means and input means.
Are connected. The directory structure is changed based on an instruction given by the user using the user interface 22.

A counter 23 is connected to the directory operation unit 20. The counter 23 counts the number of processing times for each container entry and each leaf entry when the directory structure is changed by the directory operation unit 20. The count value for each container entry and each leaf entry is the directory operation unit 2
It is supplied to and stored in the directory storage unit 21 via 0.

The update information generation unit 24 generates the update information of the directory structure according to the change of the directory structure by the directory operation unit 20. The generated update information is stored in the update information storage unit 25. The update information of the directory structure will be described later.

The transmission unit 26 controls the transmission of data to the broadcast network 11. The update information of the directory structure stored in the information update storage unit 25 is stored in the transmission unit 26.
Is repeatedly transmitted to the broadcast network 11. On the other hand, the directory data of the entire directory structure stored in the directory storage unit 21 is periodically transmitted from the transmission unit 26. Sender directory server 1
0 performs repeated transmission of the update information field or periodically transmits the entire directory structure in order to deal with the omission of the update information in the receiving side directory servers 12, 12, ....

The communication control unit 27 uses the bidirectional network 1
3 and controls communication in the bidirectional network 13. From the receiving directory server 12 to the transmitting directory server 10, the bidirectional network 13
For example, the missed update information is requested by the communication. On the basis of this request, the transmitting side directory 10 retrieves the relevant update information from the update information stored in the update information storage unit 25, and controls the communication control unit 27 to retrieve the retrieved update information. To the directory server 12 on the receiving side via.

The overall control unit 28 includes the directory storage unit 2
1 monitoring, update information storage unit 25 control and transmission unit 26
Control, etc. When the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21 is changed, the overall control unit 28 detects the change. Based on the detection result, the corresponding update information is read from the update information stored in the update information storage unit 25 under the control of the overall control unit 28. The read update information is transmitted from the transmission unit 26 with the timing and the like controlled by the overall control unit 28.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the receiving side directory server 12. The receiving directory server 12
For example, an STB, an IRD, or a personal computer arranged in each home. The receiving unit 30 receives the update information and the directory data of the entire directory structure transmitted from the transmitting directory server 10 to the broadcast network 11. On the other hand, the directory storage unit 33 stores directory data configured based on information received in the past.

The information received by the receiving unit 30 is interpreted by the update operating unit 32. Based on the interpretation result, the update operation unit 32 updates the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33.

The communication control unit 31 includes the bidirectional network 1
3 and controls communication in the bidirectional network 13. For example, when the update information received by the receiving unit 30 is missed, the bidirectional network 1 is configured so that the update operation unit 32 transmits the missed update information.
The request for the directory server 10 on the transmitting side is transmitted via 3. Further, the update information transmitted from the transmission-side directory server 10 via the bidirectional network 13 based on this request is received by the reception-side directory server 12 under the control of the communication control unit 31.

The directory operation section 34 has a user interface (not shown) including, for example, predetermined display means and input means, and displays the directory data stored in the directory storage section 33. Further, the directory operation unit 34 is connected to the Internet, and the directory data is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locate) indicating an information access method on the Internet.
When r) is included, it is possible to access the content on the Internet based on the URL and display the accessed content.

Next, updating of directory data will be described. For example, when the tree structure of the real world contents is changed, the change is reflected in the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21 of the transmitting side directory server 10, and the directory data is updated. The directory operation unit 20 updates the directory data. As described above, the update information is generated by the update information generation unit 24 as the directory data is updated.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of update of directory data and update information generated by the update. The directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21 is monitored by the overall control unit 28 at predetermined intervals to detect a change in the directory structure. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, it is detected that the directory structure is changed, and the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21 becomes the tree 4
0A, 40B, 40C and 40D are updated in this order.
Update information indicating the contents of the update operation of the directory data is shown on the right side of each of FIGS. 5B to 5D.

In the initial directory structure, the tree 40
As shown in A, container entries C11 and C12 exist under the container entry C10.
A change occurs in the directory structure and the tree 40A is updated like the tree 40B. That is, the leaf entry L11 is added under the container entry C11, and the leaf entry L12 is added under the container entry C12. By changing this directory structure,
As an example is shown on the right side of B, the update information 41A described as (C11, + L11) and the update information 41B described as (C12, + L12) are generated as information indicating the content of the update operation. .

In the expression of the update information, in this example, the target entry is written on the right side of the comma, and the changed content is written on the left side of the comma. The symbol “+” indicates addition of an entry, and the symbol “−” indicates deletion of an entry. Of course, this is an example, and the update information may be expressed by another notation.

Leaf entry L1 in tree 40B
1 is moved from the subordinate of the container entry C11 to the subordinate of the container entry C12 to form a structure like a tree 40C. In other words, the leaf entry L11 is deleted from the subordinate of the container entry C11, and the deleted leaf entry L11 is added to the subordinate of the container entry C12. At this time, the update information 42A that is (C11, −L11) and the update information 42B that is (C12, + L11) are generated.

Further, the leaf entry L12 in the tree 40C is moved from the subordinate of the container entry C12 to the subordinate of the container entry C11, so that the tree 40D has a structure. In other words, container entry C
The leaf entry L12 is deleted from under 12 and the deleted leaf entry L12 is the container entry C11.
Will be added under. At this time, (C11, + L1
The update information 43A that is 2) and the update information 43B that is (C12, -L12) are generated.

Receiving side directory servers 12, 12, ...
.. receives these update information via the broadcast network 11. For example, assuming that the directory data corresponding to the tree 40A is stored in the directory storage unit 33 in advance, the update operation unit 32 first uses the update information 41A and 41B received first to place the data under the container entry C11. The leaf entry L11 is added, and the leaf entry L12 is added under the container entry C12. Similarly, the tree 40B is updated to generate the tree 40C by performing the processing according to the update information 42A and 42B on the tree 40B, and the tree 40C is updated with the update information 43A and 43B.
By performing the processing according to, the tree 40C is updated and the tree 40D is generated.

Here, as an example, consider a case where the receiving side directory server 12 misses the update information 42A and 42B. For example, the update information 42A and 42B
When the reception side directory server 12 is in a power-off state and is not operating at the time when is transmitted, the update information 42A and 42B are not received by the reception side directory server 12 and are dropped.

When receiving the update information 43A and 43B to be transmitted next, the receiving side directory server 12 cannot judge whether or not the update information earlier than that, for example, the update information 42A and 42B is missed. .

Therefore, the receiving directory server 1
2, update information 43A and 4 for tree 40B
The update process will be performed using 3B. That is, the leaf entry L12 is added under the container entry C11 based on the update information 43A, and the leaf entry L12 is deleted under the container entry C12 based on the update information 43B. As a result, the leaf entries L11 and L are subordinate to the container entry C11.
12 exists and no leaf entry exists under the container entry C12, which conflicts with the structure of the tree 40D illustrated in FIG. 5D. That is, there is a mismatch between the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21 of the transmitting directory server 10 and the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33 of the receiving directory server 12.

According to the present invention, the sending side directory server 12 manages a sequential value for each container entry, thereby making it possible to detect the missed update information in the receiving side directory server 12.

For each container entry, a counter is provided which is incremented by 1 each time a container entry and a leaf entry under the container entry are updated. The state of the container entry can be represented in this way by adding a count value to the container entry name (container entry name Cn, count value Sn).

The count value is counted by the counter 23 connected to the directory operation unit 20. For example, when the directory operation unit 20 updates directory data, the counter 23 increments the count value of the management information of the target container entry. That is, the count value is a value that is incremented at each stage of updating the directory data according to the update information, and indicates the stage of updating.

On the other hand, in the update information, the count value Sn of the container entry at the time when the update is detected is added to the above-mentioned container entry name Cn in which the update is detected and the update operation content. That is, update information '
Attaches the count value Sn to the container entry name Cn and the update operation content, and
Count value Sn, <update operation content>) For example, it is described as follows. Hereinafter, all the above-mentioned update information will be replaced with this update information '.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show directory data update processing when a count value is introduced for each container entry in the example shown in FIG.
The two columns on the left side are information handled by the transmitting directory server 10. The column of transmission-side management information at the left end is directory data stored in the directory storage unit 21 of the transmission-side directory server. The second column from the left is the update information 'generated by the update information generating unit 24.

The third and subsequent columns from the left are the information handled by the receiving side directory servers 12, 12, ..., And the third column from the left is the same as the update information 'transmitted from the transmitting side directory server 10. It is reception update information received via the information network 11. The receiving side management information in the rightmost column is directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33.

As an example of the transmission side and reception side management information, the tree 40A shown in FIG. 5 has the tree 40A shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. The states are listed, ((C1
It is expressed as (0, 0) (C11, 0) (C12, 0)).

FIG. 6 shows the receiving directory server 12,
12 is a sequence chart of an example when there is no omission of update information 'in 12, ... The sender-side directory server 10 increments the count value of the container entry whose subordinate entry is updated with the update information 'by 1 with respect to the sender-side management information. The update information 'describes the count value immediately before the update. That is, the leaf entry L11 is added to the container entry C11 of the first transmission side management information 50, and the transmission side management information 52 is generated. Update information '51 generated at this time
Is the count value of the transmission-side management information 50 immediately before being updated.

[0] is applied (C11,0,
+ L11). In the updated transmission side management information 52, 1 is added to this count value and the count value associated with the container entry C11 is set to [1].

Similarly, in this example, in this example, 3 are respectively subordinate to the container entries C11 and C12.
The count values of the container entries C11 and C12 are respectively set to “3” in the final transmission-side management information 54 after each update, and the count values of the container entries C11 and C12 in the update information '55 are It is set to "2" based on the immediately preceding transmission side management information.

Recipient directory servers 12, 12, ...
.., the receiving side management information 57 stored in the directory storage unit 33 is received from the received update information 56.
Will be updated. At this time, the count value Si described in the reception update information 56 is compared with the count value Sn attached to the container entry name Cn corresponding to the reception update information 56 in the reception side management information 57. As a result of the comparison, if the two match, the reception side management information 57 and the reception update information 5
6 and the received update information 5
6, the receiving side management information 57 is updated. As a result of the update processing, the reception side management information 5 in which the count value Sn attached to the container entry C11 is set to [1]
8 is generated.

In the same manner, the update information 'is generated in the sender directory server 10 every time the sender management information is updated, and the state of the container entry managed by the recipient directory server 12 is changed. .
That is, the count value Si described in the received reception update information and the count value Sn attached to the container entry name Cn corresponding to the reception update information in the reception side management information.
Are compared with each other, and if they match, the receiving side management information is updated by the received update information. Then, of the receiving side management information, 1 is added to the count value Sn associated with the container entry updated by the reception update information.

FIG. 7 is a sequence chart of an example in which part of the update information 'is missed in the receiving side directory server 12. In the transmitting side directory server 10, the transmitting side management information 60 is updated, and the transmitting side management information 62 is generated. At this time, update information '61 is generated and transmitted. Furthermore, the transmission side management information 62 is updated, and the transmission side management information 64 is generated. At this time, update information '63 is generated and transmitted.

In the receiving side directory server 12, the updating information '61 is missed when the receiving side management information 65 is updated. Therefore, the receiving side directory server 12 does not perform the update process on the reception management information 65 using the update information '61.
Next, in the receiving side directory server 12, the update information '63 is received next to the missed update information '61.

Here, the received update information 63 'for which the update information '63 has been received is the container entries C11 and C1.
The count value associated with 2 is "2". On the other hand, in the reception-side management information 65, the count value associated with each of the container entries C11 and C12 is "1". That is, the count value of the reception update information 63 ′ is different from the count value associated with the container entry corresponding to the reception update information 63 ′ of the reception side management information 65. Therefore, the reception side management server 65 is not updated by the reception update information 63 ′ in the reception side directory server 12.

As described above, the same update information 'is repeatedly transmitted from the transmitting side directory server 10. The receiving-side directory server 12 waits until the missed update information '61 is received, and then updates the update information '6.
When 1 is received, the receiving side management information 65 is updated using the received update information '61.

The received update information 63 'that has been received and has not yet been used to update the receive side management information is stored in, for example, a predetermined storage area of the directory storage unit 33, and the receive side management information according to the update information '61 is stored. Should be used after the update of.

In the above description, the receiving side directory server 12 waits until the missed update information 'is received. However, in reality, for example, the missed update information 63' is missed based on the received update information 63 '. Update information '
If it is determined that there is, the receiving directory server 12
Requests the update information 'that was missed using the bidirectional network 13 from the sending directory server 10.

On the basis of this request transmitted from the reception side directory server 12, the transmission side directory server 10 retrieves predetermined update information 'from the update information storage section 25 and controls the communication control section 27 to control the bidirectional network 13. To the directory server 12 on the receiving side via. The receiving-side directory server 12 receives the update information ′ transmitted via the bidirectional network 13, and supplies the received received update information to the update operation unit 32 via the communication control unit 31. The update operation section 32 uses the received update information to update the corresponding receiving side management information.

Furthermore, if the waiting time for waiting to receive the missed update information 'exceeds the preset timeout time, a request for the missed update information' is sent to the transmitting side directory server 10 via the bidirectional network 13. Will be issued.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of update processing of the directory data in the transmitting side directory server 10. First, in the first step S10, the directory operation unit 20 causes the directory storage unit 21 to
Update processing is performed for a subordinate of a certain container entry Cn in the directory data stored in. For example, a leaf entry or a container entry immediately below a certain container entry Cn is deleted or modified, and a leaf entry or a container entry immediately below a certain container entry Cn is added.

In the next step S11, the count value Sn is extracted from the management information of the container entry Cn, and the update information '(container entry Cn, count value Sn, <update content>) is extracted using the extracted count value Sn. Is generated. After generating the update information ', in step S12,
1 is added to the count value Sn of the container entry Cn.

The update information 'generated in step S11 is stored in the update information storage unit 25, and is transmitted to the broadcast network 11 by the transmission unit 26 at a predetermined timing, for example. At this time, as shown in an example in FIG. 9, the same update information 'is repeatedly transmitted to the broadcast network 11 in consideration of the missed update information' in the receiving side directory server 12.

In FIG. 9, the passage of time is expressed from the left side to the right side, and the same update information 'transmitted from the transmitting side is given the same number. The number attached to the'update information 'indicates the order of updating the directory data. Further, the period indicated by the thick line on the receiving side (period 101 and period 103) is the period during which the receiving directory server 12 is operating, and the update information '
Is received. The other periods 100 and 102 are periods in which the receiving directory server 12 is idle and the update information 'is not received.

As shown in FIG. 9, from the transmitting side, 1
Update information No. 6 to 6'is repeatedly transmitted. Period 1
In 00, the receiving side is dormant and the update information 'of No. 1 and No. 2 is missed. The 1st and 2nd update information 'is the period 101 during which the receiving operation is performed by the receiving side.
However, since it is repeatedly transmitted, the receiving side can receive the update information 1'of No. 1 and No. 2. However, in the next period 102, the receiving side is inactive and the third and fourth update information 'are missed by the receiving side.

The third and fourth update information 'are also transmitted during the next period 103 in which the receiving side is operating. On the other hand, in the period 103, the 5th and 6th update information 'is transmitted before the 3rd and 4th update information' is transmitted. When the receiving side updates the directory data updated by the above-mentioned update information No. 1 and No. 2 by using the previously transmitted update information No. 5 and No. 6, the directory managed by the sender side The inconsistency as described above occurs between the data and the directory data managed on the receiving side. In the present invention, this mismatch is prevented by performing the processing already described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the updating process of the directory data in the receiving side directory server 12 when the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 are executed. The updating process of the directory data by the receiving side directory server 12 is divided into a receiving process for receiving the update information '(FIG. 10) and a timeout process for requesting the missed update information' (FIG. 11). These two processes are executed in parallel with each other.

First, the process of receiving the update information 'will be described with reference to FIG. Prior to the execution of the flowchart of FIG. 10, the timer T omitted in FIG.
n is set to a predetermined time. The start and stop of the timer Tn are controlled by the instruction of the update operation unit 32. The timer Tn is provided so that each of the container entries Cn stored in the directory storage unit 33 can be individually counted.

In the first step S20, the update information '(Cn, Si, <
The update content>) is received. In addition, [Cn] indicates a container entry name, and [i] indicates a count value. The received update information for which the update information 'has been received is supplied to the update operation unit 32, and the count value Si is extracted. Further, the update operation unit 32 retrieves the count value Sn included in the management information of the corresponding container entry Cn from the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33. In the next step S21, the count value Si and the count value Sn are compared.

As a result of the comparison in step S21, if it is determined that the count value Si and the count value Sn match, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, if the timer Tn corresponding to the container entry Cn is activated by the process described later, the timer Tn is stopped, and in the next step S23, the reception update information obtained in step S20 is used. The directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33 is updated.

When the directory data is updated,
In the next step S24, the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value Si is set as the count value Sn attached to the container entry Cn that is the update target of the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33. When the count value Sn is updated in this way, a series of reception processes is ended.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the count value Si and the count value Sn do not match, the process proceeds to step S25. Step S2
At 5, it is determined whether the timer Tn is activated. If it is determined that the timer Tn has been activated, the series of reception processing is ended. Also, step S2
If it is determined in 5 that the timer Tn is not activated, the process proceeds to step S26, the timer Tn is activated,
A series of reception processing is ended.

The flowchart of FIG. 10 is actually a loop process. That is, step S24,
When the processing of step S25 or step S26 is completed,
When the series of processing is completed, the processing is returned to step S20, and the next update information '(Cn, Si', <update content>)
The receiving process of is started.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example of the timeout process. As described above, the process of the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed in parallel with the process of the flowchart of FIG. 10 described above. Prior to the execution of this flowchart, the timer Tn is set to a predetermined time. When the time measured by the timer Tn exceeds the set time, it is considered as timed out.

In the first step S30, it is determined whether or not the timer Tn has been started. As described above, the timer Tn uses the count value Si of the reception update information obtained in step S21 of FIG. 10 and the directory storage unit 33.
It is activated when the count value Sn attached to the corresponding container entry Cn stored in No. 3 does not match. That is, when the count value Sn and the count value Si do not match, it is considered that the update information “missed” is present in the receiving side directory server 12.
This updated information'is obtained by the following process.

If, in step S30 described above, the timer T
If it is determined that n has not been activated, the series of timeout processing ends. The state in which the timer Tn is not activated is a state in which the timer Tn is stopped by the processing of steps S20, S21 and S22 in the above-mentioned flowchart of FIG. 10, and the obtained reception update information is appropriate. Means that

On the other hand, in step S30, if the timer T
If it is determined that n is activated, the next step S3
At 1, it is determined whether the timer Tn has timed out. If not, the process is returned to step S30. In this way, the timer Tn
To check again if is timed out
This is because the appropriate update information 'may be received before the activated timer Tn times out, and the timer Tn may be stopped in accordance with the process of step S22 in the flowchart of FIG. 10 described above.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S31 that the timer Tn has not timed out, the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the reception side directory server 12 requests the transmission side directory server 10 via the bidirectional network 13 for the missed update information '(Cn, Sn, <update content>). Based on this request, the sender directory server 10
From the receiving-side directory server 12 via the bidirectional network 13 to the requested update information '(Cn,
Sn, <update content>) is transmitted.

The receiving side directory server 12 receives this update information '(Cn, Sn, <update content>) and stores the directory using the received update information' (Cn, Si, <update content>). The directory data stored in the unit 33 is updated (step S33). Then, in the next step S34, the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value Si is set as the count value Sn attached to the container entry Cn that is the update target of the directory data stored in the directory storage unit 33. . Then, in step S35, the timer Tn is stopped, and a series of time-out processing ends.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the directory data managed by the receiving side is updated based on the update of the directory data managed by the transmitting side, each container entry is updated. A counter that indicates the number of times is provided. Then, in each of the transmitting side and the receiving side, the count value of the counter is increased every time the entry immediately below the container entry is updated. Therefore, by comparing the count value included in the update information sent from the sender with the count value of the container entry managed by the receiver without performing history management of update information on the sender, It is possible to determine whether or not the update information is missed on the side, and it is possible to apply the update information in an appropriate order.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the configuration of an example of a data distribution system applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the structure of directory data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a transmitting side directory server.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a receiving side directory server.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of update of directory data and update information generated by the update.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing an update process of directory data when a count value is introduced for each container entry.

FIG. 7 is a sequence chart showing a process of updating directory data when a count value is introduced for each container entry.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of update processing of directory data in the transmitting side directory server.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing transmitting the same update information to a broadcast network.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of update processing of directory data in the receiving side directory server. It is a flow chart which shows an example of receiving processing which receives update information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of directory data update processing in the receiving side directory server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the timeout process which requests | requires the update information which was missed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of missing update information.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Sender directory server, 11 ... Broadcast network, 12 ... Recipient directory server,
13 ... Bidirectional network, 20 ... Directory operation unit, 21 ... Directory storage unit, 23 ...
Counter, 24 ... Update information generation unit, 25 ... Directory storage unit, 26 ... Transmission unit, 27 ... Communication control unit, 30 ... Reception unit, 31 ... Communication control unit, 32
... Update operation unit, 33 ... Directory storage unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuo Haraoka 6-735 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Takabayashi 6-735 Kitagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo No. Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Yasuaki Yamagishi 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Within Sony Corporation (56) Reference JP-A-11-220493 (JP, A) JP-A-11 -219330 (JP, A) JP 8-185348 (JP, A) JP 7-141310 (JP, A) JP 4-335451 (JP, A) JP 5-265829 (JP, A) ) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 12/00 G06F 13/00 H04L

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transmission device for transmitting directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, and a directory storage means for storing directory data having a tree-structured data structure, the directory data comprising a plurality of entries. Directory operation means for updating the directory data stored in the directory storage means, update information generation means for generating update information indicating the content of the update of the directory data updated by the directory operation means, Two-way communication is performed with a transmitting unit that transmits the update information generated by the update information generating unit to a broadcast network and a receiving device that receives the update information.
And a bidirectional communication means, each of the plurality of the entries of the directory data stored in the directory memory means, its distribution
The lower entry has a value indicating the update stage that changes each time an update occurs, and the update information generation means includes the value indicating the update stage in the generated update information. The receiving device cannot be acquired via the two-way communication means.
A transmitting device, characterized in that it provides such updated information . 2. A data structure in which the location of contents is a tree structure
In the transmission method to transmit the directory data managed by
And Tree-structured data structure composed of multiple entries
Directory data with
A step of remembering, The directory stored in the directory storage means
Directory manipulation steps to update the refresh, The above updated by the above step of directory operation
Update information showing the contents of the above update of directory data
Update information generation step to generate, The update information generated in the update information generation step
Transmission to the broadcast network and
Equipped with The directory stored in the directory storage means
Each of the above multiple entries in theDistribution
Bottom entryOf updates that change each time an update occurs
The step of generating update information has a value indicating a stage,
A value indicating the update stage is added to the generated update information.
To include,Two-way communication of update information that the receiving device could not acquire
As provided by Transmission method characterized by
Law. 3. A receiving device that receives transmitted directory data that manages the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, and stores the directory data that has a tree-structured data structure and is composed of a plurality of entries. Directory storing means, receiving means for receiving update information for updating the directory data stored in the directory storing means, and storing in the directory storing means based on the contents of the update information received by the receiving means Update operation means for updating the directory data, and a bidirectional communication with the transmitting side for transmitting the update information.
Directional communication means, and each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means has its own distribution.
Having a first value indicative of the stage of the update that changes every time the updating with respect to the lower entry occurs, the update operation means, first shows a step of updating the update information received by the receiving means comprises The value of 2 is compared with the first value, and when the first value and the second value match, the value is stored in the directory storage means based on the update information received by the receiving means. If the first value and the second value do not match , the directory data is updated.
The second value such that the first value and the second value match.
The update information having the value of is received by the receiving means.
Wait for a certain period of time, and then the first value and the second value
The update information having the second value such that
However, even if the fixed period of time has passed,
If not, the first value that matches the first value is
The update information having a value of 2 is transferred to the bidirectional communication means.
A receiving device characterized by being acquired via 4. A receiving method for receiving transmitted directory data for managing the location of contents by a tree-structured data structure, wherein the directory data is composed of a plurality of entries and has a tree-structured data structure. Means for storing the directory information, the receiving step for receiving update information for updating the directory data stored in the directory storing means, the directory based on the content of the update information received by the receiving step. Updating operation of updating the directory data stored in the storage means, and each of the plurality of entries of the directory data stored in the directory storage means has its own allocation.
The update operation has a first value that changes each time an update occurs to the entry below, and the update operation step includes the update step included in the update information received by the receiving step. Is compared with the first value, and when the first value and the second value match, the directory based on the update information received by the receiving step. The directory data stored in the storage means is updated, and when the first value and the second value do not match,
The second value such that the first value and the second value match.
The update information having the value of
It waits for a certain period to be received, and the first value and the
The update with the second value such that the value of 2 matches.
The new information will be sent to the reception step even after the certain period has passed.
Match the first value above if not received by
The update information having the second value such as
A reception method characterized by being acquired by communication . 5. A transmission / reception system for transmitting directory data, which manages the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, and receiving the transmitted directory data, is composed of a plurality of entries and has a tree-structured data structure. First directory storage means for storing first directory data, and the first directory storage means for storing the first directory data
Directory operation means for updating the directory data, update information generating means for generating update information indicating the content of the update of the first directory data updated by the directory operating means, and the update information generating means for generating A two-way communication is performed between a transmitting unit that transmits the updated information to the broadcast network and a receiving device that receives the updated information.
A first two-way communication means, a second directory storage means configured by a plurality of entries for storing second directory data having a tree-structured data structure; and transmission to the broadcast network by the transmission means. Receiving means for receiving the updated update information, and update operating means for updating the second directory data stored in the second directory storage means based on the content of the update information received by the receiving means. , Two-way communication with the sender sending the above update information
Two bidirectional communication means, and the first directory storage means stores the first directory storage means.
Each of the plurality of entries of the directory data of 1 has a first value indicating a step of update that changes each time an update occurs for an entry under its own, and the update information generation means The second value stored in the second directory storage means is configured to include a first value indicating a stage in the generated update information.
Each of the plurality of the entries of the directory data has a second value indicating an update stage that changes each time an update is made to an entry under its own, and the update operation means is The first value and the second value of the received update information are compared with each other, and when the first value and the second value match, the above-mentioned value received by the receiving means. The second directory data stored in the second directory storage means is updated based on the update information, and when the first value and the second value do not match,
The second value such that the first value and the second value match.
The update information having the value of is received by the receiving means.
Wait for a certain period of time, and then the first value and the second value
The update information having the second value such that
However, even if the fixed period of time has passed,
If not, the first value that matches the first value is
The update information having a value of 2 is stored in the first and second update information.
A transmission / reception system characterized by being acquired via bidirectional communication means . 6. A transmission / reception method of transmitting directory data for managing the location of contents in a tree-structured data structure, and receiving the transmitted directory data, wherein the transmission / reception method has a tree-structured data structure. Storing the first directory data in the first directory storage means, and the first directory data stored in the first directory storage means.
A step of performing directory operation for updating the directory data, update information generating step for generating update information representing the content of the update of the first directory data updated by the directory operating step, and update information generating Step of transmitting the above-mentioned update information generated in the step of (1) to the broadcast network, and second directory data having a tree-structured data structure constituted by a plurality of entries, and a second directory storage means. Storing the update information transmitted to the broadcast network by the transmitting step, receiving the update information by the transmitting step, and receiving the second directory based on the content of the update information received by the receiving step. The second directory data stored in the storage means. And a step of updating operation for updating said first stored in the first directory storing means
Each of the plurality of entries of the directory data has a first value indicating a stage of update that changes each time an update is made to an entry under its own, and the step of generating update information includes the step of updating the update information. The second value stored in the second directory storage means is configured to be included in the generated update information.
Each of the plurality of entries of the directory data of the above has a second value indicating a stage of update, which changes each time an update occurs in an entry under its own, and the step of the update operation includes Comparing the first value and the second value included in the update information received by the step of, and when the first value and the second value match, the step of receiving The second directory data stored in the second directory storage means is updated based on the received update information, and when the first value and the second value do not match,
The second value such that the first value and the second value match.
The update information having the value of
It waits for a certain period to be received, and the first value and the
The update with the second value such that the value of 2 matches.
The new information will be sent to the reception step even after the certain period has passed.
Match the first value above if not received by
The update information having the second value such as
A transmission / reception method characterized by being acquired by communication .